Y’all…I’m reading this book right now, Alpha reading…and let me tell you, it’s heart wrenching. I’m so excited to share this cover reveal with you…Scroll down for more…

He left his entire world in Iraq. So why did the war follow him home?

Harley Keane and his best friend Nigel were just kids when 9/11 rocked their world and changed their lives forever. When they’re finally old enough to join the Army, all their childhood dreams seem about to come true. But war wasn’t supposed to be like this. A kid’s dream isn’t supposed to become a living nightmare. Fellow soldiers aren’t supposed to bleed out in front of your eyes.

Back home, safe and unwounded, Harley feels anything but. Why would God spare him when so many others were taken? Why won’t the nightmares stop, even when he’s awake? And how long can he hide the truth that threatens everything he has left? When Harley’s invisible scars refuse to stay hidden, will he let anyone close enough to help? And how do you go on with life when “okay” isn’t okay at all?

Is that not epic?? It’s so gorgeous! Tattered Wings now has a rival. And the contents inside? Oh, I don’t know if my heart can handle it…

About the Author...

Kassie Angle is a teenaged Christian author, cowgirl, therapy dog trainer, stereotypical INFJ, and Army girl to the core. Her first love, i.e. debut novel, O to be Like Thee, swept her unexpectedly into the world of indie authors. She tries to use her stories to fill the silences in literature, helping more people understand the world of the Army and showing how God heals the broken-hearted. You can find her and more of her writing at SoldierGirlStories.com.

This book (in case you couldn't tell) is about PTSD awareness. And it's coming out on November 11th!

And Kassie has a website! https://soldiergirlstories.com

I suppose that wraps things up for today! Check out her books and get ready to be challenged and changed for life!

Hope you have a blessed day!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

The other day, I got to meet one of my subscribers! It was a wonderful experience and we really hit it off. And it reminded me that she sent me some fan art pictures! And I never shared them with you! So today, I’m going to share them with you! And as a bonus, you also get an excerpt from A Song of Home! I hope you enjoy!

Hope G. and her brother Noah have just started reading my books this year. Noah loves Legos so he and Hope decided to do a few scenes from my books!

Didn't they do such a good job?! All the attention to detail is just so amazing to me! Straight down to the hope chest and the hair colors! Thank you, Noah and Hope!

And now for a book excerpt!

January 28th, 1864
The Rains Family Estate
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
 
“My life is meaningless.”

You’ve got that right, Jennifer Rains thought as her cousin Constance Angelica Tinderman threw herself down onto the sofa. You have no goals in life other than fault finding.

“You can change that,” Jenny replied, eyes remaining on her book of poetry.

“Of course I can,” Constance pouted. “But how? That is the problem. What can I do?”
“Read a book,” Jenny replied, only half interested in aiding her spoiled cousin in bettering herself. She was far more interested in The Midnight Ride[1].

Constance scowled. “Reading a book is no way to do something with my life.”

“Of course it is.” Irene Rains entered the room with much effort. Jennifer’s sister-in-law was great with child, and all the full skirts in the world couldn’t hide that; her walk was more of a waddle at this point. “Reading takes you places you’d never know about otherwise. Books help men become preachers, doctors, lawyers, even better farmers!” She paused, staring off towards the window. “Books can teach you everything there is to know, pretty much.”

Constance was not impressed. “I am not interested in any of those professions, Irene. I am a lady. How can I make something of myself when the only people allowed to do so are men?”

“You don’t have to be known to make something of yourself,” Irene drawled in her soft Tennessee accent. “Behind every good gentleman, there is a good lady. You can be the rock your husband leans on that pushes him to succeed. His achievements are yours. You can raise children who will shape history!”

“You should be a writer,” Jenny added, waving her book in the air. “Harriet Beecher Stowe[2] is and look at the results.”

Yes, a deepened rift between the North and South, Irene mused. Although married to a Union soldier, she didn’t appreciate Mrs. Stowe’s writings. “I don’t think Constance would want to be that kind of a writer. Maybe…maybe you could compose music. You’re already good at that.”

Jenny glanced at Constance and frowned. This compliment was what Constance wanted. She was good at composition; she had over a dozen magnificent pieces to her credit. All she wanted was for someone else praise her for the genius she knew she possessed. Constance was like that; she needed to be appreciated and petted sometimes…nearly all the time.

The smug smile on her face was not lost on Irene. Frankly, she was sick of being played with to soothe Constance. “You know what? You shouldn’t be a composer. You need something that gratifies you with no applause from others. I know! You should be a teacher. They shape lives and help change the world, but for the most part, they are ignored by the public. That would be better for someone with your rare abilities!”

With that, Irene left the room.

Constance narrowed her eyes. “What was that supposed to mean?”

Jenny, a smile playing at her lips, replied, “That, my dear, was a brave woman.”

[1] A Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, chronicling (though not accurately) the midnight ride of Paul Revere. Published January, 1861.

[2] Author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Pink and White Tyranny.

And that's all I have for you today!
Until Next Time,
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Okay, so this was supposed to go up on the 4th…that didn’t happen 😉 Hope you can enjoy it anyway 😊

Happy Independence Day! As you are reading this, I am probably over at the Denton Farm Park, giving historical tours at the Reid Plantation! It’s one of my favorite times of the year, getting to share the truth about History, address long believed Myths, sell books, and pass out FBN information! And of course, I always look forward to meeting and talking to our veterans who come through with their families. Last year, I was privileged to speak with a policeman from a neighboring community. We talked for about two hours (it was a slower day 😉), and we just had a wonderful time talking about History, police stuff, and our Savior’s goodness to us. Today, I want to share about a few conversations I’ve had…and how they matter, now more than ever.

We often say as Christians, “Nothing happens by chance.” Every conversation happens for a reason, though sometimes we can totally blow it. But God has placed us in certain places at certain times for such a time as this. It’s up to us to take those opportunities.

A few years ago, I was on break at the Thresher’s reunion, getting some Italian Ice. I struck up a conversation with the woman helping at the stand, and somehow, I’m not sure, we got to talking about Creation Science. She had a child in school who was facing a lot of pressure from her teachers to embrace evolutionary doctrine, and she refused to back down, bless her. So I was able to help the mom figure out some ways she can give the teachers the answers they want on her tests while making it clear how she believes.

We talked about how evolution is a loud and proud proponent of racism, and I mentioned that it is also the only leg abortion has to stand on. Many people don’t agree with the topic of pro-life, but I’m so glad I spoke up because she had a story to share. Praise the Lord, she didn’t abort her baby, and she thanks God daily for helping her stay strong and raise her little blessing wrought through tragedy.

Another year, a young veteran came into the plantation to talk with us. He told us about his time in Afghanistan and how he was so glad to be back in the states but regrets nothing about serving his Country.

Still another time, a patron asked me why I was happily preserving the History of a racist cause. I kindly was able to tell them I was doing nothing of the sort, that the War Between the States had nothing to do with racism. We had a lovely conversation; they left with a smile on their face and some truths to pass along to their friends.

I still remember a dear black lady coming in and talking with me about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad and how North Carolina was such a big part of helping with the route. We were able to come together as fellow Americans, enjoying History, coming from different angles on the subject, and learn from each other. She knew I loved the Confederacy, but she didn’t care! We had a wonderful time!

Still, another black family toured the plantation and thanked me for preserving Southern History. “Everyone’s heritage is important; North, South, Black, White, American, and beyond. We all have a right to preserve our History. How else are we to learn from it?” Truer words are rarely spoken on the subject.

Why am I telling you this? Why am I sharing these stories?

Because now, more than ever, we need to hear them. If I was politically correct, I should have told that woman to embrace evolution and that keeping her child had disadvantaged herself and the child. According to the World, I should have told that soldier he had no right to occupy a foreign country and “force” morality on them. When talking to those dear fellow Americans, I should have begged forgiveness for “racism” I never had a part in.

But I didn’t.

Now more than ever, we need to tell the truth. We need to show how anything is possible when you seek to make a difference with compassion and kindness. Kindness goes a long way. I could have rudely told the man that asked me if I was racist that he was stupid for thinking the war was all about slavery. Would that have done any good? No. And just because he was confused doesn’t make him stupid. It’s not his fault that people he should be able to trust lied to him.

Now more than ever, people need to see that we don’t have to be mean just because we don’t agree. Now more than ever, we need to understand that just because we come from different ethnic backgrounds doesn’t mean we have to fight (and that more often than not, we don’t fight. That just doesn’t get headlines.)  Now more than ever, we need to support our military and our Police Force. They are not the enemy. They are the heroes. A bad apple is an exception, not the rule, just like in any other honorable profession.

Now more than ever, we need to remember where we came from and the price that was paid for us to be where we are today, a free people. Do you know who James Armistead is? How about Desmond Doss? Are you familiar with Charlie Colson? George Washington Carver? Pvt. Sam Davis? Chris Kyle? Cesar Rodney? Sybil Ludington? Cotton Mather? Phyliss Wheatly? D. L. Moody? The Tuskegee Airmen? Weary Clyburn? True heroes of freedom and faith, most of them. If you don’t know these names, I encourage you to look them up.

But most importantly, we need to share the good news of the Gospel with those around us. Regardless of race, religion, nationality, age, or gender, everyone deserves a chance to hear about Jesus. Share His unbounded Love! His marvelous Grace! His unending Forgiveness! Tell them how He gave His life so that everyone could be saved and live with Him in Heaven! Tell them the Truth! Give them hope! Share it with Boldness! Reflame your vision for the Lost! Fight for their souls! Be the voice of reason in the cacophony of misplaced emotion. Shine your light for Christ!

Have a Blessed Day!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Happy July, and welcome to our fifth missions spotlight! Chile is July’s focus country, and I hope you enjoy our little trip to this South American nation! It’s been so much fun for me, reviewing all these countries I learned about in Spanish 2! So without further ado, let’s take off!

Country: The República de Chile

Continent: South America

Population: 18.73 Million (2018)

Capital: Santiago

Largest City: Santiago

Motto: Por la Razón o la Fuerza (By Right or Might)

National Anthem: “Puro, Chile es Tu Cielo Azulado” (How Pure, Chile, is Your Blue Sky)

Current Leader: Sebastian Piñera

Language: Spanish

Bordering Countries: Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina.

Religions: Catholic (45%); Protestant and Baptist (18%); Unaffiliated (32%); Other (5%). Approximately  77% of the population is involved in false religion, and probably more have never heard a clear Gospel presentation from the Bible.

Animals of Interest: Culpeo (fox-like creature), Chilean flamingo, Hippocamelus (a type of llama looking deer), Rheas (a large bird), Kodkod (a member of the cat family), and Southern River Otter, just to give a sample!

Famous Foods: Paste de Chocl0 (corn casserole with meat stuffing), Cazuela (beef, chicken, corn, rice, and potato stew), Completo (a jumbo hot dog with Mayonaise, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and Sauerkraut!), Porotos Granados (Bean stew with mashed corn, onions, pumpkin, garlic, tomato, and basil), Sopaipillas (Pumpkin fritters), and Chorlillana (sliced beef with fries, eggs {scrabbled or fried} and fried onions).

Fun Facts: The world’s largest swimming pool is in Chile! The Chilean Andes mountains have some of the largest active volcanos! Chile is home to the world’s oldest mummy!

Missionaries: (Subject to Additions!)

Prayer Requests: Pray that the light of the Gospel will reach this nation and turn it around from an idol-worshiping nation to followers of Christ. FBN is heard in this country, so please pray that God will bless the broadcast and that the Chilean people will hear the Gospel. And above all, pray for laborers to go and serve!

Don’t forget to check your list of missionaries at your church for Missionaries to Chile! Encourage your family to pray for them and perhaps send them a note of encouragement!

Have a blessed week!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22